Pros and Cons of Hiring Offshore Developers
- Reading time: 4 minutes
Every decision you’ll make in business comes with its fair share of pros and cons. Today, let’s break down the benefits and concerns you need to consider when hiring offshore developers for your software development needs.
Outsourcing vs. Offshore/Nearshore Staffing: What’s The Difference?
In a software development context, outsourcing, offshoring, and nearshoring share similar goals—cost reduction, access to specialized talent, reduce time-to-result—but they are each a unique strategy unto themselves.
Offshoring, nearshoring, and onshoring are all aspects of outsourcing. A business may outsource to an outside organization or individual to manage all, part, or various aspects of a project.
Offshoring is the process of contracting talent from overseas, often to developing countries, in an effort to reduce costs. Nearshoring is much the same, except the team you’re outsourcing to is closer to home, on the same continent, and often the same time-zone.
The Pros and Cons of Hiring Offshore/Nearshore Developers
The benefits of both nearshore and offshore staffing are much the same:
Accelerate Growth at Minimal Cost
There’s no shortage of software development talent out there—but offshoring and nearshoring represent a significant cost reduction. The money and resources you save can then be channeled into other areas of your business to accelerate growth.
Access to Highly Diverse, Specialized Talent
Offshoring and nearshoring widens your talent pool. No longer limited to who is available in your area, you can tap into highly specialized skills, and you’ll have the added benefit of diverse cultural viewpoints that add value and global relevance to your projects.
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Simplifying HR
Recruiting, vetting, interviewing, hiring, and training new employees is a time-consuming and risky process. Offshore and nearshore staffing accelerates timelines, reduces risk, and gives you access to pre-qualified talent so you can get down to work faster.
Offshoring Concerns
If you are considering hiring offshore or nearshore talent, here are a few concerns that might make the decision easier.
Ongoing Support
Your offshore team or contractor may do great work, but if you have additional needs after the project is finished, it might be difficult to secure.
Cultural and Language Barriers
Offshore employees bring new perspectives to the table, but sometimes those differences can be a barrier rather than a benefit. It can be a challenge to ensure both sides are on the same page.
Time Zones
International working hours become problematic very quickly. If you need something right away, you may have to wait until your offshore team is on the clock, and communication breakdowns and delays are common.
Why Nearshoring is A Better Choice
In today’s uncertain business climate, nearshoring makes much more sense for US companies looking to outsource their software development. Some of these benefits include:
- Fewer language barriers means better communication
- Superior educational systems
- Same or similar time zone means everyone is working the same hours
- Familiarity with American business practices
- Cultural differences are minimal
- Faster time-to-result
- Easier to coordinate projects
- Better communication delivers higher quality results
LDxLab offers a robust nearshore staffing solution for all your software development needs. If been wondering what nearshoring can do for you, speak to us today. LDxLab has the diverse perspective, experience, and talent to take you where you need to be.
